Chennai Leather Market - April 2017

CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V M Khaleelur Rahman

Hong Kong Leather Fair

Quite a large number of people connected with the leather industry from Chennai and other parts of India attended the APLF leather and materials fair held from 29 to 31^st March 2017 in Hong Kong. There are reports of leading exporters having sold goat upper and lining leathers at almost the prevailing prices at around US 2.20 and 1.75 per sq. ft. respectively. It seems that only some highly reputed marks were on the move as in the present market customers are very particular about quality. Total business concluded during the fair was said to be considerable.

No doubt the popular Hong Kong leather fair provided a good opportunity for exporters, importers and others connected with the leather industry to exchange views on different issues facing them.     

AISHTHMA

The All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association (AISHTMA), Chennai celebrated its Centenary year in a grand manner on 9^th March 2017 and signed MoU with three East African countries – Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda - for trade development.

Mr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed, President of Aishtma, explained in detail about the importance and necessity of cooperation and collaboration with these countries. He said that a high level delegation of Aishtma consisting of 10 members had visited these countries earlier, interacted with the leather fraternity there and paved the way for mutual co-operation.

Chennai Leather Market

In the Chennai leather market, business continues at around the following prices but volume of business done is not much.

Grain Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. Run Rs.95, Fifths Rs.80, Inf. Fifths Rs.70, LIF Rs.60,

Suede Selection: 4/6 sq. ft. Rs.47, 5/8 sq. ft. Rs.48

Lining Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. A Lining Rs.46, AB Lining Rs.44, ABC Lining Rs.42 and 4/6 sq. ft. ABC Lining Rs.42

Mesh Selection: 5/8 sq. ft. Rs.30

Cow and buffalo leathers, multi colours, export rejects are available in the market at around Rs.35.

All prices are per sq. ft.

Overseas Business

As regards overseas business, exporters here feel that there will be increase in demand as things cannot remain the same for long. This optimism is based on the inquiries received from European and Far East customers for different items of leather. Japanese importers are also slowly showing interest for sheep leathers.

Offers of exporters are at around the following prices:

S/C OR F/C GOAT LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq. ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Goat upper leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC/DE	2.20/1.70
Goat milled leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1	1.75
Goat suede leather	4/7 5/8	0.6/0.8 mm 0.6/0.8 mm	All Suede	2.00 2.10
Goat lining leather	4/7	0.5/0.7 mm	TR-1	1.70
	6/9	0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1	1.80

F/C SHEEP LEATHERS

Material	Size/sq.ft.	Substance	Selection	Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Sheep Cabretta leather	4/7	0.6/0.8 mm	ABC	2.00
Sheep Cabretta leather	6/9	0.8/1.00 mm	ABC	2.10
Sheep lining leather	4/7 5/9	0.5/0.7 mm 0.6/0.8 mm	TR-1 TR-1	1.60 1.70

                                     

(Writer’s e-mail id: vmk1234@yahoo.com)